Training classes on Proxio, a new SILVAR membership benefit, begin with the first class on Tuesday, February 25 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at SILVAR. The Proxio Overview class will show agents how to make the most of the offered services step by step. Members will learn how to log in, build a referral network, search for properties and some marketing tools. Another overview class will be offered on March 4, 1:30-2:30 p.m. at SILVAR. More classes will be scheduled in the following months.

Proxio, a leading global marketing and networking platform that connects real estate agents from all over the world and shares their listings, is a new benefit that is free for SILVAR REALTOR® members. The Proxio international network enables real estate agents to share listings in more than 115 countries. Foreign listings are translated into 19 languages, 30 currencies and metric measurements. The network allows U.S.-based agents to connect with other agents internationally, providing them and their listings global visibility.

SILVAR’s Proxio bundle includes a member’s profile in the network of over 500,000 real estate professionals across the U.S. and in over 100 countries, and international MLS exposure for members’ listings presented in 19 languages. The bundle also includes the following two upgrades – the Multicultural IDX (M-IDX) widget for a member’s website, which includes a full MLS search and translations of all properties in MLSListings into Proxio’s 19 languages; and the Proxio SocialSearch™ app for a member’s business page, with full IDX in five languages – English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese.

The Proxio training class will be taught by Cameron Garcia. The class is free for SILVAR members. Cost is $50 for nonmembers who would like to learn more about the international marketing and networking platform.

SILVAR, which represents over 4,000 REALTORS® and affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay, is the first REALTOR® association in the state of California to provide members with Proxio. Proxio will be providing more training webinars and classes to show agents how to make the most of the offered services.

The Proxio membership benefit is funded by the association for all SILVAR REALTOR® members. The free benefit joins the long list of other member benefits, like the DocBox™ and DocBox2Go™ document management system, the E-SIGN and UETA compliant signature solution Authentisign™ and Authentisign2Go™, PRDS Forms on Instanet and PRDS Forms on tablets.

The 15th annual Silicon Valley REALTORS® Scholars Program for graduating seniors from 18 public high schools in Silicon Valley is underway. The scholars program is sponsored by the Charitable Foundation of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR), a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay.

The REALTORS®’ scholarship program is a partnership with local high schools in Silicon Valley. Principals and faculty at 18 participating high schools nominate three exceptional graduating seniors. The program awards a $1,000 scholarship to one nominee from each school in recognition of their exemplary record, outstanding academic performance and community spirit.

The scholars from the Class of 2014 will be selected from high schools in the communities served by members of SILVAR. Final selections will be made by a committee that includes representatives from the local business community, area high schools, area colleges and SILVAR.

“The annual Silicon Valley Scholars Program is an opportunity for our members to show our support for our communities and schools. We see value in investing in the future of our youth,” said Nina Yamaguchi, chair of the Scholars Program of the Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation. “We want to thank the students, teachers, administrators and school board members in our communities for their hard work and dedication in making the schools in our communities among the best in California and the nation.”

The participating schools include Leigh High School and Lynbrook High School in San Jose; Westmont High School in Campbell; Fremont High School in Sunnyvale; Los Altos High School in Los Altos; Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos; Gunn High School and Palo Alto High School in Palo Alto; Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton; Santa Clara High School and Wilcox High School in Santa Clara; Cupertino High School, Homestead High School and Monta Vista High School in Cupertino; Prospect High School and Saratoga High School in Saratoga; Mountain View High School in Mountain View; and Woodside High School in Woodside.

Graduating seniors from the above-mentioned high schools who wish to apply for the scholarships may obtain an application from their respective schools. The completed application must be returned to the high school’s principal or scholarship counselor by Monday, March 10, for submission to the Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation.

For further information, please contact Nina Yamaguchi at (408) 861-8822 or nyamagu-chi@cbnorcal.com.

Seniors and the homebound residing on the Peninsula and in the South Bay may request free assistance with household tasks through the REALTOR® Service Volunteer Program (RSVP) during the week of May 5-9. RSVP is offered each year in the month of May by REALTORS® and affiliates from the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) and neighboring REALTOR® associations to qualified seniors who cannot perform certain household tasks due to physical or financial constraints. The deadline for seniors to apply for this free assistance is March 15. Members of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® who would like to volunteer and help seniors in their SILVAR communities should apply no later than March 31.

“Through the RSVP program, REALTORS® and affiliates can make the difference be-tween a senior remaining independent as a homeowner or renter, or having to give up that independence to some form of caregiving and dependence on strangers,” said Eileen Giorgi, SILVAR’s RSVP Committee chair. “RSVP is our way of thanking our seniors for all they have done for our communities.”

The annual community service program was started by members of SILVAR in 2001, and adopted as an official association community outreach project the following year. The program has since expanded to include members of the San Mateo County, Santa Clara County and Santa Cruz County Associations of REALTORS®. Last year 447 RSVP volunteers from the participating REALTOR® associations helped 297 senior households in their communities; 241 volunteers from SILVAR assisted 118 senior households in SILVAR’s five districts.

Seniors residing in the communities of Atherton, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, Woodside, Portola Valley, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Saratoga, Monte Sereno and Los Gatos may apply for this free service by contacting the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® at (408) 200-0100 for information and an application. Seniors may also visit http://www.silvar.org to download an application and submit to SILVAR before the March 15 deadline.